Climbing gym chain · United States
The Spot grades, explained
The Spot opened in Boulder in 2002 as one of the first two bouldering gyms in the US, founded by Dan Howley. It now runs five gyms on Colorado's Front Range: Boulder, Denver (2019), Golden and Louisville (2021) and Thornton (2023, formerly ROCK'n & JAM'n). Instead of V-grades it uses its own Spot Scale of 1 to 5 red spots. Rope climbing is only at Louisville and Thornton, and it runs the Psychedelia blacklight bouldering comp every October.
Bouldering grades
The Spot uses its own 'Spot Scale': each problem is marked with 1 to 5 red spots, with + and - to split levels further. 1 spot is the easiest (about VB) and 5+ the hardest (about V11). The gym gives an official V-grade conversion.
| Level | V-scale | ≈ Font |
|---|---|---|
| 1 spot | VB | 3 |
| 2 spots | V0 | 4B–4B+ |
| 3- spots | V1 | 5A–5B |
| 3 spots | V2 | 5B–5C |
| 3+ spots | V3–V4 | 5C+–6B+ |
| 4- spots | V4–V5 | 6A+–6C+ |
| 4 spots | V5–V6 | 6C–7A |
| 4+ spots | V6–V7 | 6C+–7B |
| 5- spots | V7–V8 | 7A+–7B+ |
| 5 spots | V9–V10 | 7C–7C+ |
| 5+ spots | V11 | 8A |
The Spot uses this grading at all its gyms. From the gym's own grading guide. Gyms reset and regrade often, and grades vary between setters, so treat this as a guide and check the boards when you visit.
5 The Spot gyms
Each gym's page has its address, how to book, and links to prices and opening hours.
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Questions
- What V-scale grade is 1 spot at The Spot?
- 1 spot at The Spot is VB, about 3 in Font.
- What V-scale grade is 2 spots at The Spot?
- 2 spots at The Spot is V0, about 4B–4B+ in Font.
- What V-scale grade is 3- spots at The Spot?
- 3- spots at The Spot is V1, about 5A–5B in Font.
- What V-scale grade is 3 spots at The Spot?
- 3 spots at The Spot is V2, about 5B–5C in Font.
- What V-scale grade is 3+ spots at The Spot?
- 3+ spots at The Spot is V3–V4, about 5C+–6B+ in Font.
- What V-scale grade is 4- spots at The Spot?
- 4- spots at The Spot is V4–V5, about 6A+–6C+ in Font.
Sources
- The Spot: Locations (five gyms)
- The Spot: Our Story (timeline)
- The Spot: Routesetting (Spot Scale and V-grade conversion)
- The Spot: Rope Climbing (Louisville and Thornton only)
- The Spot: First visit FAQs
- The Spot grade conversion chart (SVG)
Checked 3 October 2026. Gear Loop isn't affiliated with The Spot.